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Everything I Need to Know About You I Learned From Your Words

Today was the first day of my fifth year of teaching.

I've decided that my ninth graders will be choose their own vocabulary words. So, instead of handing them worksheets with vocab exercises from a book or using a list of SAT words, I asked each of them to identify one word to contribute to our class vocabulary list each week. I asked them to pay attention to the words they don't yet know as they read magazines, watch television, listen to music, or whatever. Each week when they turn in their words, they will write the word, the definition and the context in which they heard the word, and then the next week they'll be quizzed on all the words chosen by the class.

I'd gotten tired of my old vocabulary book, and I want to allow the kids ownership of what we're learning whenever I can. Plus, I think it will still prepare them for future standardized testing. I got an email from a student I taught three years ago last night.

By the way, moppet was one of my vocabulary words on the SAT. I
thought you would like to know that since you used to call me a moppet
all the time.

So, real words from real life. I like it.

After my explanation, a cute blond in the front row waved her hand.

Um, can I pick the word high-maintenance? 'Cause people are always telling me that I'm all high-maintenance, and I don't even know what that means.

I dunno if high-maintenance is gonna be on the SAT, but I guess learning for personal growth is a good thing too. Sure thing.

Comments

I think the approach you took with your ninth graders was excellent. When students are asked to contribute and participate in the class curriculum that gets their attention, they are happy to put their say in. And from the email your student sent you, you can tell this method sticks with the students.

Has this continued to work for you? I did this my first year of teaching, and have since abandoned it because for my second/third years I taught in a school that required me to use a specific vocab book. Somehow after changing schools again (I'm now in my 5th year of teaching HS English, just like you!), I just never re-instituted it. Would you recommend it or not?

I loved how you didn't just ask them for words, but for context! Your blog is 'delicious', I am having such a great time reading your entries I am forgetting about life...
Thank you for the humor!
Carolina
*^^*

I think that it is a great idea to allow the students to pick their own words. They can learn words that they actually want to learn about instead of being made to learn words that they may not care about at all. I also like the fact that you have them write the word, definition and context in which they found the word. This really gets them involved and thinking. Great idea!